LAUNCHING FORUM KOMUNIKASI PARTAI POLITIK DAN POLITISI UNTUK REFORMASI

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LAUNCHINGFORUM KOMUNIKASI PARTAI POLITIK DAN
POLITISI UNTUK REFORMASI

• Introductory Remarks
• Dr. Rainer Adam
• Resident Representative FNS Indonesia

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Image of Politicians and Parties

• In many countries, also in Western democracies,
  politicians and political parties have a negative
  image
• Therefore, a bad image of politics in general
  could be seen as normal

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Image of Political Parties - Germany
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Popularity of Politicians - Germany
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Image Political Parties - India
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Image of Politicians and Parties

• However, in most western nations, democracy and
  its central institutions are firmly in place and
  are widely accepted by the majority of the
  population
• A negative image of parties and politicians does
  not seriously threaten democracy
• There are no alternative models that are promoted
  to replace democracy

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Image of Politicians and Parties

• In Indonesia we have a different case democracy
  is not yet deeply rooted
• The usefulness and appropriateness of democratic
  mechanisms and institutions are questioned by
  several groups which favour other political
  systems

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Indonesia Hopes before 1999 Elections
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Indonesia Fears before 1999 Elections
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Indonesia Publics Perception of Parties
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Image of Central Democratic Institutions in
Indonesia

• Why do central democratic institutions in
  Indonesia have such a bad image?
• Nearly all Indonesian political parties suffer
  from internal conflicts as we have seen at the
  many party congresses in the last months
• Many parties are dependant on charismatic
  leadership and dominated by a few individuals
• By-laws, rules and regulations are unclear or not
  applied consistently
• Most Indonesian parties did not yet develop a
  clear ideological profile and outlook and
  distinguishable programs

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Image of Politicians
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Image of Politicians
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Image of Politicians
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Image of Politicians
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Image of Central Democratic Institutions in
Indonesia

• Lets turn to the parliament DPR is critized as
  being not effective and too slow in passing bills
• Attendance by members is low and they are accused
  of paying not enough attention to their work
• DPR is seen as prone to corruption by the public

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Image of Parliament
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Image of Parliament
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Image of Parliament
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Image of Parliament
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Image of Parliament
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Image of Central Democratic Institutions in
Indonesia

• There seems to be a general lack of awareness and
  understanding of the roles and functions of
  political parties in society
• This stems also from conflicting objectives
  regarding functions of parties
• Articulation of particular interests vs.
  Aggregation and integration of varying interests
• Representation of specific interests vs.
  Maximisation of votes

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Image of Central Democratic Institutions in
Indonesia

• Programme formulation and implementation vs.
  System supporting problem solving (case by case)
• Mobilisation of support (cadres and voters) vs.
  Political socialisation (shaping of political
  opinion and attitudes of population)
• Realisation of own supporters interests vs.
  Recruitment of political personnel for parliament
  and government

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Democracy Peaceful Conflict Management

• Democracy is a means for peaceful conflict
  resolution based on the realization that not
  harmony but conflict is the driving force of
  progress and prosperity
• Parliament is the place for debate and struggle
  to define the future course of the polity
• The actors are political parties contesting with
  each other in a peaceful way through elections

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Democratisation Processes

• Despite the multitude of problems There are good
  news!!!
• These shortcomings are normal for young
  democracies
• Historical as well as regional comparison shows
  that institutionalization of democracy is a long,
  difficult and often painful process

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Democratisation Processes

• 19th Century England showed many characteristics
  we can find in todays emerging democracies
  dependancy on individuals, patron-client
  relationships, vote buying, weak party
  structures, lack of unified party ideology, etc.
• These features we can also find in post-communist
  Eastern Europe, Latin American and other Asian
  countries

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Democratisation Processes

• The process of establishing strong democratic
  roots needs effort but it can also fail!!!
• There are people who do not like democracy,
  people who do not like the idea of transparency,
  accountability and competition that come with
  democracy
• This is a problem we momentarily face in
  Indonesia, democratic values and procedures are
  not deeply rooted yet and there are several
  anti-democratic forces ? authoritarians,
  militarists, fundamentalists, premanisme, etc.

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Strengthening Democracy

• Considering this situation it is important that
  all democrats work together to strengthen
  democracy and protect it from destructive forces
• It is important to build strong and modern
  political parties and a capable and professional
  parliament
• Parties modernizing its structures will reap the
  profits at the next elections (see PKS)

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Reforming Political Parties

• It is even more important that the agenda for
  reform is set by the political parties themselves
• Today most criticism and proposals for reform
  come from LSM, researchers, etc.
• Political parties need to become the agenda
  setters however, not behind closed doors but in
  an open and transparent process

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Forum Komunikasi

• Forum Komunikasi Parpol dan Politisi untuk
  Reformasi aims at providing a platform for
  exchange between politicians and political
  parties
• It is a meeting of minds with the goal to
  develop strategies, a reform agenda including
  concrete steps for reforming and strengthening
  parties and parliament
• FNS only facilitates and accompanies this
  process, it has to be filled with life, ideas and
  concepts by you, the Indonesian politicians

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Terima Kasih atas Perhatiannya!Selamat Sukses!
We do not know the secret of success but we
fear that it may be hard work! Anon